Parental Behavior and Child Temperament Predict Persistence Toward Goals
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Donna Nelson
Abstract
Previous studies have discussed the importance of parent-child relationships and the potential impact that they could have on child outcomes. The purpose of this study was to expand the research investigating links between parental behavior and child well-being to explore the influence of parenting on a child’s persistence toward goals and his or her level of “grit,” defined as working strenuously toward challenges, and maintaining effort and interest long-term, despite adversity. We also sought to investigate the possibility that the child’s temperament may moderate the impact of parenting on child persistence and “grit.” We expected that children with highly emotional character would be at greatest risk for suffering unfavorable consequences if they experienced low levels of positive parental behavior. Nineteen male and 40 female undergraduate students participated in our study. Our findings suggest that the temperament of a child can moderate the impact of parental behaviors on child outcomes related to tenacity and dedication to long term goals. Participants low in emotionality reported comparable levels of persistence and “grit,” regardless of the type of parenting they experienced while growing up. In contrast, more emotional participants exhibited lower levels of perseverance as emerging adults if they experienced less support, encouragement and involvement from parents. These findings suggest that positive parenting educational programs would prove especially helpful for families that include highly emotional children.
Honors Thesis Committee
Donna Nelson, Ph.D; Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.; Kathy Lyon, Ph.D.
Course Assignment
Thesis Research, HONR 450H, Donna Nelson
Start Date
22-4-2016 3:15 PM
End Date
22-4-2016 3:30 PM
Parental Behavior and Child Temperament Predict Persistence Toward Goals
West Center, Room 219
Previous studies have discussed the importance of parent-child relationships and the potential impact that they could have on child outcomes. The purpose of this study was to expand the research investigating links between parental behavior and child well-being to explore the influence of parenting on a child’s persistence toward goals and his or her level of “grit,” defined as working strenuously toward challenges, and maintaining effort and interest long-term, despite adversity. We also sought to investigate the possibility that the child’s temperament may moderate the impact of parenting on child persistence and “grit.” We expected that children with highly emotional character would be at greatest risk for suffering unfavorable consequences if they experienced low levels of positive parental behavior. Nineteen male and 40 female undergraduate students participated in our study. Our findings suggest that the temperament of a child can moderate the impact of parental behaviors on child outcomes related to tenacity and dedication to long term goals. Participants low in emotionality reported comparable levels of persistence and “grit,” regardless of the type of parenting they experienced while growing up. In contrast, more emotional participants exhibited lower levels of perseverance as emerging adults if they experienced less support, encouragement and involvement from parents. These findings suggest that positive parenting educational programs would prove especially helpful for families that include highly emotional children.
